Strand-working mechanism



July 17, 1928.

C.O.HAA5E STRAND WORK ING NECHANI SM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventar Carl Qflacwe Filed Dec. 20, 1924 QNN QR QNN @NN MWN W C. O. HAASE STRAND WORKING MECHANISM July 17, 192s.

QNN

fnvenior Carl QHaase Atij July 17, 1928 7 1,677,135

c. o. HAASE STRAND WORKING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 20, 1924 4 Sheats-Sheet 4 Aux). n A A A l A l A A A l A A A x A A A LA fi'ZUVZiOI" Carl Offaasa driven rollers.

Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL ODENWALD HAASE, OF WINNE'IKA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

STRAND-WORKING MECHANISM.

' Application filed December 20, 1924. Serial No. 757,283.

This invention relates to strand working mechanisms, and more particularly to an apparatus for serving a strand into predeterthe invention, there is provided a grooved table or runway along which a plurality of strands, such as wires or cords, are simultaneously moved by a plurality of positlvely Upon the forward ends of the strands engaging an electrical contact member adjustably positioned along the run way, one of a plurality of electromagnets is actuated, thereby operating a spring actuated revolvable cutter to sever the strands.

Mechanism is provided for restoring the energy dissipated during each operation of the cutter. The severedstrands are pushed around a semi-circular portion of the runway and onto a moving belt until they clear an electrical contact member which actuates mechanism for indexing a revolvable drum to eject the strands into a suitable container wherein they may be tied together in bunches of any desired size or number. The

length of the runway may be changed to vary the length of the severed strands.

Although the invention is herein illus trated and described in connection with an apparatus for simultaneously cutting into predetermined lengths a plurality of electrical conductors employed in the mannfac ture of telephone cords. it should be understood that the novel features and advantages are capable of other applications and partly in section, of a cord cutting apparatus embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan View of a portion of the mechanism shown in F ig. 1 with the cover inclosing the spring actuated cutting mechanism removed;

Fig. lis a fragmentary front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3 with the capstan and associated mechanism omitted in order to more clearly show the mechanism for actuating the cutting apparatus;

F ig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1 showing the mechanism for indexing the ejecting I, drum; In accordance with the general features of Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken onthe line 6-6 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken 011 the line 7-7 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary Sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail sectional View taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the electrical contact member for opening and closing the electrical circuit which controls the operation of the cutting mechanism;

Fig. 12 shows the electrical circuit for controlling the operation of the cutting mechanism Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary sec tion of the electrical contact member for closing and opening the circuit which controls the indexing ofthe ejecting drum;

Fig. 14: shows the electrical circuit which controls the indexing of the ejecting drum; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views,

denotes a bench which is suitably supported upon and secured to upright standards 21, 21. Positioned near one end and supported upon the top of the bench 20 by standards 22, 221's asupportingplatform 23 (Fig. 1). A main driving shaft 25 is journaled in bearings 26 and 27 (Figs. 3 and 4), which bearings are suitably-secured to the platform 23. The shaft 25 is driven by a pulley 28 and a belt 29 from any suitable source of power (not shown). i

Keyed at one end of the shaft 25 is a sprocket which cooperates with a sprocket chain '31 :and :a sprocket L32 vto drive .a shaft The shaft 83 is journaled in "suitable bearings 34, 34 supported by standards 35, $.35 which :are suitably secured ato the ;bench 20. ,Atcapstanz38 :isrsplinedzon ithe shaft :33 and is adapted to withdraw a plurality of cords or other strands 4O Figs. 1 and 3 from a plurality of supply sources (not shown) Circumscribingapproximatelyonehalf of the periphery ot the capstan 38 is an arcuate cover 41 which is "hinged .at' 42 to a bracket 43 secured to the bench '20. A grooved roller 44 ilS revolvably mounted at the'hinged end oft thecover 41, which cover carries at'itsftree end a second grooved roller '45; A camlocking mechanism 461(Fig. '1') I is provided tor urging the rollers 44 and '45 against the periphery oit 'thecapstan'B'S.

Upon-leaving the roller45 ,.the cords are ted over a stationary cutter "50 (Figs. 4 and 6) which is supported on the platform Q3Lbyapair ot -brai-kets "51, 5 1. A'horizontal guide member 52 .issupportedlbya bracket 53, which is secured to t-he platform 23, and is shaped at one end to conform .to and closely engage theperip'heigyo'f the roller 45. The function of the member 52 is to guide the cordsas they pass from the roller45 over .the .cutter to insure that they are in the proper position when out. 'The guide member 52 is supported ':by a bracket 53 suitably secured to the cutter 5.0. When cords of a predetermined lengfth have passed the stationary .cutter "50' they are cut byarevolving cutter '"55 cooperating with 'a "knife edge 56 "formed on the stationary cutter 50. .The revolving cutter '55.co1nprises a pair of diametricallyopposed knives 57 "5'7, integral with ahub -58 ("Figs/6 and "8), and is actuated by a clockspring'60 :and a clutch 61 through 'mechanism to be hereinafterdeseribed.

Positioned in alignment with the guide member 52 and suitably spaced therefrom is a tubular guide member .63 which is sup' ported on. the platform "23 by 'a bracket 64 (Fig. 4). Slidably supported on a guide -ra'il'65.and initelescopic engagement with the guide member63, is a-c'hannlshaped :run-

m 66 which terminates in "a semiecircular portion 67 (Fig. 1). The guide rail is supported on and-secured to'thebench 20lby a plurality of upright standards .68.

As indicated in Fig. 15, the runway 66 -comprises "a pair of side members 69an'd '7 0 which are in'tegral with a base member 71. Revo'lvably mounted in suitable bearings il'ormed 'in the side members-69 and 70 are a plurality of positively driven rollers 72, 172 Fig. 1 which serve to push the'cords along therunway 6.6. Remova'bly mounted in the runiway 66 between two successive rollers "72 is an electrical contact unit 75 F igs.11'and 1 1), {the function of which will hereinafter the described. Govei ing the remainder of the illhe-contact unit .75 tFig. 1'1 isiinclosed within a housing 77 and comprises a pair of conta t springs 78 and 79 which engage oppoeite sides of a vertically disposed recip-' 'roeablepliniger"80. Pivotally mounted at 81 inn bifurcated portion 82 of the housing 77 is an angular member "83 (Fig. 11*). The member '88 comprises two outwardly pro- 'jecting arms *84 and 85 which are rigidly connected to or integral .witheach otherat their pivot point '81. 'The free end of the arm 84 is pivoted-at 86 to the-lower end'of the plunger '80 ldllCl :the *free end 'of the .arm normally rests on the .runway '66 "in the path otthe'moving cords'40. A leaf-spring 87, suitably secured "to the housing base *82, tends ito ;urge the men ibjer '88 downwardly to insure that the arm85'normally engages the suriitace oi the runway 6.6.

Referring to Fig. =11 it :is apparen'trthat the contact springs '78 and '79 'are;n0rmal ly insulated from each other,.since their contact points .88 and 89 are separated by an insulated portion 90 at' the tip ofithe-plunger 80. However; -it will .:be noted. that as soon as the :moving strands 40 come in contact .of which will ihereinjatter be described. A i

'sleeve96 of any suitable insulatingma'terial, lin'eteralily hard rubber, is loosely "mounted on 'the plunger 80 and is provided. with a circular recess "97. whereby it rides loosely over a collar -98 secured .to the plunger 80.

The collar 98 normally engages the top of the recess .97 so that 'the plunger 80, when moving upwardly, carries with it the rubber sleeve96. Upon'the plunger 80 reaching'its uppermost "position, a reduced *portion 99 of the sleeve '96 moves between "the contact "points88 and 89, thereby breaking "the electrical connection between the ;rnembers ".78 an)df?':9 and :re-op'en'ing the circuit .95 (Fig. "12" From the above "description it is apparent that the circuit is closed only momen- -tarily, which closure, however, is .suflicient "to energize a relav100 causing it to attract its armature 1501.. thereby closing one of two electrical circuits 102 and 103 (Fig. 12).

inn

The circuits 1'02 and 103 are closed .alternately by the relay 100 through mechanism] cally connected in the circuits 102 and 103, respectively, and are suitably supported on the platform 23 with their cores opposite each other, by brackets 107 and 108 (Figs. 4

and 12). Positioned betweenand adapted to be attracted by either of the electromagnet-s and 106 is an armature 110, the lower end of which is pivoted at 111 to brackets 112, 112 which are suitably securedto the top of the platform 23 (Fig. 4). The upper end of the armature is bifurcated and is pivotally connected at 113 to one end of a horizontal link 114 whose other end is pivotally connected at 115 to one end of a second link 116. The opposite end of the link 116 is connected at 117 to a bifurcated member 118 which. straddles the clutch 61. The member 118 is secured to a movable member 120 of a. clutch 6'1 by pins 121, 121. The link 116 is pivoted near its center to a bracket 122, which is suit-ably secured to the platform 23.

Pivoted at 124 to a bracket 125 supported on the platform 23 and electrically connected in. the circuits 102 and 103 is a. lever member 126, one end of which is loosely held between a pair of pins 127, 127 secured to the link 114. The other end of the member 126 is adapted to engage either of two adjustable electrical contact men'lbers 128 and 129 connected in the circuits 102 and 103, re-

spectively.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 12, it will be noted that by the last operation of the relay 100, the circuit 103 was closed and the electromagnet 106 energized and thereby caused to attract the armature 110. Also, through the movement of the armature 110 and the associated link 114, the member 126 was disengaged from the contact member 129 and caused to engage the contact member 128. Referring to Fig. 12 it is apparent that the next operation of the relay 100 will close the circuit 102, thereby energizing the electromagnet 105, causing it to attract the armature 110. The alternate attraction of the armature 110 by the electromagnets 105 and 106 causes a reciprocating moven'ient of the link 114 which is transn'iittcd through the link 116 and the member 118 to the movable member 120 of the clutch 61. Upon each longitudinal movement of the clutch member 120 the cutter 55 is revolved 180 through mechanism hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10 it will be noted that the clutch member 120 is loosely mounted on a sleeve 130, which. sleeve is the stationary member of the clutch 61. The sleeve 130 is revolvably mounted on a shaft 132, which is rotatably journaled in bearings 131, 131, and has formed on its periphery four teeth-like projections 133, 134, 135, and 136, two of which, 133 and 134, are diametrically opposed to the other two, 135

and 136, and staggered longitudinally of the sleeve with respect to them. A recessed portion 137 of the clutch member 120 surrounds these teeth and is provided on. its inner surface with a. plurality of similar teeth 138,

139, 140,141, and 142, the teeth 138 and- Formed integrally with the clutch member 130 is an annular disk member to which is secured the revolving cutter 55. The outer end of the spiral spring 60 is fastened to the member 145 by a pin 146 and its inner end is fastened toa housing 147 inclosing the spring 60 and loosely mounted on the shaft 132.

The stored energy in the spring 60 constantly tends to revolve the clutch member 130, together with the cutter 55 in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 6 and 9. This tendency is overcome, when the clutch member 120 is in the position wherein it is shown in Figs. 8 and 10, by the teeth 133, 134, 135, and. 136 of the clutch member 130 engaging the teeth 138, 139, 141, and 142, respectively, of the clutch member 120. However, when the clutch member 120 is moved outwardly through the mechanism hereinbcfore described, the teeth 133 and 134 will disengage the teeth 138 and'139 and pass through slots or openings 149 and 150 formed on either sideof the tooth 133, and the teeth 135 and 136 will disengage the teeth 1.41 and 142 and pass through slots or openings 151 and 152 formed on either side of the tooth 141. The cutter 55, actuated by the spring 60, is: now free to revolve 180, after which the clutch 61 automatically re-locks itself through the teeth 133, 134, 135, and 136 of the clutch member 130 engaging the teeth 140, 141, 138, and 139, respectively, of the clutch member 120.

From the above description, it is apparent that upon the actuation of the contact member 7 5 by the ends of the moving strands, the cutter is actuated almost instantaneously through the clutch 61 and the spring 60. The length of the severed strands is therefore determined by the dis tance, along the runway 66, between the arm 85 of the contact member 75 and the knife edge 56 of the. stationary cutter 50. The side of the runway 66 is graduated (Fig. 1) to assist the operator in determining the proper location for the contact member 75 for strands which are required to measure a predetermined number of feet in length. In order to vary the distance between the contact member 75 and the cutter 50 an amount less than twelve inches, the runway 66 is movable along the guide rail 65 towards and away from the cutter 50 by means of a knob 155 formed at the end of a shaft 156. The shaft 156 is rotatably journaled in suitable bearings formed in the runway =66 and has secured thereto :a piniion 157 adaptedftoengage a rack .15810111116Cl 'atthe bottom vof'itherunway166. The :side of the guide rail .65 isgraduated .in inches .so that the operator may readily determine the proper :distance to anove the runway 66 ibyan :indicatinggpointer 159 secured lto'the side thereof.

l hemechanism for restoring inthe spring =60 the energy dissipated :during each operation:o'f the :cutter 555 avill now be described. secured to the: shaft between Ethe ibeanings 26 and '27 is a Worm 160 which drives :a :worm gear 161 keyed at :the send :ofthe shaft 132 (Fig. Secured ttoithe shaft 1132 Lisa ratchet 163 against the teeth 03f .vsihich ride a pair of diametrically opposed .pavvls .16 1, 164f( Fi g.'7 Looselymounted on the shaft 132 between the ratchet 163 and :the :ho using 1417 is a second "ratchet 2165 which .is slightl y larger than the ratchet 163 (.Fig'. 8). A pair ofdiametrically opposed lugs 167, 1167 are formedion the :housing 147 on theside adjacent-i0 the ratchet 165, which lugs :pro-

. the face of the housing 117.

the'cloclcspring 60 to be wound.

tension -of the spring 60 becoming greater ect into diametrically opposed :arcuate slots 168, i168 formed'in theface of said ratchet. Interposed betwcen each lug 167 and lone *endof the :associated slot 168 is :a compres- -sionspring 170 which urges :the lug 16.17 .to the opposite end :of the slot, as .best shown in F-ig. -7. Each of ithe :pawls :1'64 is secured at one end of a pin 171 which projects through an aperture in the ratchet 165. ":llhe opposite end of the pin 1711s secured "to one end of member 173 which is pivoted at its other end 174=0n a pin 17 5 projecting from The end 174: of the member 173 is movable in a slot 175 formed in the face of the ratchet 165. Referring-to Figs. 7 and-8, itis apparent that 'the spring 60, When 'WOUIlCl, tends to rotate the housing 14-7 and ratchet 165 in acouniner-clockwise "direction. This is prevented by a pawl 177 suitably :secured to the :plat form 23 and engaging :the .teeth :of the ratchet "165.

During the-operation :of the apparatus, the shaft 132 together with the ratchet 163 is constantly driven from the shaft "25 through the Worm 1160 and ZWOIIII gear 161 as hereinbefore described. The ratchet 165, which is 'looselymoun'ted on the shaft .132 is erotatable With the ratchet 163 through the pawls164 and pins 171. Through the lugs F167 :and springs 170 the housing 147 is rendered rotatable 1th the :ratchet 165. Referring to Figs. :7 :and 8, it avill be noted that the rotation of the housing 147 causes Upon the than the-"tension of thesprings 17().,ithe housing 1475s held stati onary against the urging e'ffect 'of thesp'rings 170. *Further rotation of the ratchet 165 causes the IIIGIIlbGI'S 173 to pivot on fthe'pins 17 5 and more ate :the

opposite sides of the slots 1176., thereby ireleasing (the 'rpavul-s 16. 1 from the ratchet .163 to'stop rotation'ofithe ratchet165. Through the ratchet emechanism just described ithe tension of ithe :spring .60 .is maintained :Sllbstantially :constant; The rotatable lcutter'155 .and its .associated :mechanisni are inclosed :withinqa housing 178 which is suitably ifasrtened to the ttop {of the platform 23 1 :and

The arollers mend ltO push thestrandslO along the runway :66 :at a slightly :faster .rate of speed than the capstan .88, :but are prevented in :so doing before :the strands are cut due ito the retarding effect of :the capstan .mhich results in a certain amount of slippage by ithe rollers 7'2. After the strands are cut, this slippage is eliminated, thereby causing the :severed strands .to the their ends clear 'the :arm =of tthewcontact member 75, they will be separated lasuitahle distance from .therforwardends of :the oncoming strands :in order to allow fthe con fing .the :arm .85, zthe spring :87 will cause the plunger .80 ;to :move downwardlyacarrying with it the sleeve 96. Upon the :sleeve 96 clearing the contact points 88 and :89, :it will drop by its own Weight until the uppenend of'the recess 9.7.engages the collar :98. .illhe plunger :continues to move downwardly until the arm engages the top :ofthe runway 66,.a1t which position the contact :points .88 and '89 are separated by the insulated portion of the plunger "80. It should lbe noted ithat during the :doWn- \Ward movement of the plunger 80, the in- ,sulating sleeve 96 serves .to .preventcontact :of the members 88 and 89 avith the metal :portion 92 of the plunger :80,-:there'by :main- .taining :the .circuit .95 open.

The rollers 72rare driven from .a'shaft 180 through sprockets I181, 181 and sprocket chains 1182, 182 (Figs. '1 and The shaft 180 is :rotatably rjournaled in suitable bearings secured to the runway '66. bevel gear 3183 is secured .at the'end of the shaft .180:2L1'l(lII16Sl16S 1a tbevel gear 184.;Which is sl'idably keye d to ta shaft .185 and is rotatably journaled in a bearing 187 secured to zthe runway 66; The shaft .185 is rotatably journaled 'in bearings 188 and 189 which are suitably secured to the 'bench 20 and is driven through bevel gears 190 and 191 from a stud shaft 192 rotatably jourxnaled in a bearing 193. The shaft '192,- in' :turn, is'driven from the main shaft 2'5fby sprockets "194 and 195 secured to "the shafts 25a'nd 192, respectively, through a sprocket chain 196 (Fig. 3).

ilhe semi-circular portion 67 of the -run-' en through suitable gearing 207 from any suitable source of power (not. shown). The upper span 208 of the belt 200 is slidably supported on .the upper lip of a horizontal trough or container 209 which is mounted underneath the bench by a plurality of brackets 210, 210 5).

Positioned immediately above the belt 200 and mounted on a horizontal shaft 211 is a hollow drum 212 which is provided with a plurality of radially projecting members 213, 213, as best shown in Fig. 5. The shaft 211 is rotatably journaled in bearings 214 and 215 secured to thebench 20 and is driven through suitable gearing (not shown) connected to a shaft 216. The shaft 216 is driven from the shaft 33 through a pair of sprockets 217 and 218 and a sprocket chain 219. g

The members 213 of the drum 212 are adapted to engage the surface of the belt 210, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. It is apparent, therefore, that by indexing the drum 212 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, the strands carried on the surface of the belt 200 are ejected therefrom and collected in the container 209. The mechanism for indexing the drum 212 is shown diagrammatically at 220 in Fig. 1, and since it is similar to the mechansm employed for actuating the cutter 55, it is thought that a further illustration and description thereof is unnecessary. The drum'212 is normally held stationary against the action of the mechanism 220 by means of a pawl 221 engaging the teeth of a ratchet 222 mounted at the end of the shaft 211.

The mechanism for releasing the pawl 221 to index the drum 212 will now be described. The pawl 221 is formed at one end of a lever 223 which is pivoted at 224 to the bearing 214. Carried at the opposite end of the lever 223 is an armature 225 which is adapted to be attracted by an electromagnet 226 (Figs. 5 and 14). The electromagnet 226 is connected in an electric circuit 230 (Fig. 14) which is controlled by an electrical contact. member 231 (Figs. 13 and 14), positioned at the end of the semicircular portion 67 of the runway 66.

The electrical. contact member 231 is in closed within a housing 232 and comprises a pair of contact springs 233 and 234 which engage opposite sides of a vertically disposed reciprocable plunger 235. Pivotally mounted at 236 in a bifurcated portion 237 of the housing 232 is an angular member 238 (Fig. 13). The member 238 comprises two outwardly projecting arms 239 and 240 which are rigidly connected to or formed integral with each other at their pivot point 236. The free end of the arm 239 is pivoted at 241 to the upper end of the plunger 235, and the free end of the arm 240-normally rests on the surface of the belt 200. A spring 242, whichis fastened at one end to the housin base 237 and secured at its other end to t e arm 239, tends to urge the member 238 downwardly, to insure that the arm 240 will normally engage the surface of the moving belt.

Referring to Fig. 13, it will be noted that thecontact springs 233 and 234 are normally insulated from each other since their contact points 243 and 244 are separated b an insulated portion 245 at the lower en'd'o the plunger 235. How-ever, it will be noted that as soon as the moving strands 40 'clear the arm 240, the spring 242 will cause the member 238 to be displaced on its pivot point 236, causing the arm 239, together with the plunger 235, to move downwardly. As the plunger 235 moves downwardly, a metal portion 246 thereof comes in contact with the points 243 and 244 of the contact springs and 234, respectively, establishing an electrical connection therebetween, which operates to close an electrical circuit 250 (Fig. 14) in which is connected arelay 251. The clrcuit 250,. when closed, causes the relay 251 to be energized, thereby attracting an armature 252 which operates to close the circuit 230. It should be noted that the circuit 250 is closed only momentarily, since, during the continued downward motion of the plunger, 235, an insulating sleeve 255, slidably mounted thereon, moves between the contact points 243 and 244, thereby reopening the circuit 250. The sleeve 255 also serves to prevent closure of the circuit 250 during the upward movement of the plunger 235.

The electromagnet 226, when energized, is adapted to attract the armature 225 whereby the pawl 221 is disengaged from the ratchet 222, thereby permitting the drum 212 to be indexed, causing the severed strands 40 to be ejected from the belt 200 into the container 209. Any suit-able means may be provided for collecting the strands in the container 209 and tying them in bunches of any convenient size. In the present embodiment of the invention, the container is provided with a plurality of slots 258 which are adapted to retain suitable strands for tying the severed strands when a predetermined number have been collected.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for severing a strand into predetermined lengths, a runway, means for moving the strand along said runway, a

rotatahle severing mechanism, resilient means actuated-- by the moving strand for operating the severing mechanism, and means for IGStOllIl'g in said nesillent means thef energy dissipatedfiurmg each operation 7 ofthe severing mechanism.

.ej ecting'the' severed strands, an electric, cii' cuitincluding a" source of current and means for'operatingfsaid ejecting means, and' meeli'r anism'actu'ate'd, by the severed strands for controlling 'sa'i d circuit; 7

I '4. In anz apparatus fhr simultaneously'sev eri'ng a' plurality of moving strand's into -pre*-' determined" lengths, a' runw ay, aplurality' of rollers for moving theistrands along sai'd runway, at 's ri'ng operated; severing' mechanismymeans actuated by the moving strands for actuating said severing mechanism;

meansfor'ejectingthe severed strands from said runway, mechanism actuated by *thesevcred strands for operating}; said ejecting means', and" mechanism 'fbr collecting the ejected strands:

5;- In an apparatus for'sevening; a strand into predetennined lengths, arrunway, a pl'u rality ofroll'ers for-moving the strand' along said'runway, a springactuated'cuttihgmech a msm, an electric circuit inclhding a source of current and means for actuating's-aid severing-"mechanism, mechanism actnatedbythe moving strand" for controlling-said circuit,

means forejectinggthe severed strands from sand runway, an electric circuit including a source of'currentand' means for actuating g serene-5' said ej ectling means, and mechanism actuated by the* severed strands for controlling; said last-mentioned circuit, I 7 I 6% l n-an apparatus' for severing a st r-and into, predetermined lengths, means for ad vancing strand, severingmechanism mov ahle' under spring tension to 'sever'thestrand; an electrical circuit including a source 0 current andmeans forcontrollingthc opera tion of the severing mechanism, and means actuated by" the strand for controllingsaid circuit; I

"Z: Iman appanatus for severinga strand ihtlo predetermined length-s, a runway, .a plurality ofrollers forfa'dvancing a stlandalbng said runway, a severingmechamsm movable unelem spring tension to sever the strand, means; adfiiist'ahly' positioned along the runandactuated bythe advancing strand for controllingthe" operation 0f the seven 111g meehanisnn, and means for restoring, in

the severing mechanism,v the energy dissipated' during each actuation thereof;

8: In an apparatusuforsmulltaneously severihg=aplurality 0f-moving-strands -intlo predetermined lengths; a runway, means-for advancing-thestrands along said runway, a-

severing mechanism-movable under spring tensibn'to sever the stiamils, meansactuat'ed By the moving strands for controlling the operation of thesevering mechanism, "and a conti'huouslymovi'ng belt for advancing the severed strands; r 7

9': In an apparatusfor severing a strand into predet'ermined lengths, a strand severing mechanism, means' for advancing a sevcred strandg means for collecting severedstrands; and means actuatediby an ad vancing severed strand font ransihrringsaid strand from the advancing me'ans" to the collecting means.

Witlness" whereof, I hereunto subscribe; my namethisr' 15th day of December A. D3,

cans onnnvvannrrmasni 

